A Turkish crew member has died after a blaze broke out on a general cargo ship near the port of Temyruk in Russia.
Russian media said the 3,300-dwt Akua (built 1989), operated by Alcarbon Energy of Istanbul, was anchored off the Azov Sea grain terminal on 8 May when the fire started.
Federal shipping agency Rosmorrechflot said the crew tried to extinguish the blaze and had not sought assistance.
But the agency said authorities had been ready to help.
The vessel’s crew consists of Turkish and Indian citizens.
Turkey’s general directorate of maritime affairs said a Turkish national had died as a result of the fire.
Russian newspaper Pravda cited officials at Rosmorrechflot naming him as 40-year-old B Yoruk.
AIS data showed the Vanuatu-flag cargo ship leaving its anchorage on 8 May to load grain destined for the port of Karasu in Turkey.
The vessel was detained by port state control inspectors in Temyruk for a day in 2020 with eight deficiencies but has since passed five safety checks.
The only detainable deficiency in 2020 was a problem with ship’s certificates, but inspectors also noted missing entries in a logbook, lifebuoys not properly marked, out of date charts and a fault with the AIS system.
Bridge navigation visibility was also not as required.
The Akua has insurance cover through Hydor AS in Norway.
